BREAKING: Boynton Beach Provide Update On Tragic Dirtbike Accident

Boynton Beach, FL – Boca Post (BocaPost.com) — Boynton Beach Police Department has provided an update on the ongoing investigation in to the death of the 13 year old dirt bike rider who was being chased by a Boynton Beach Police Officer on 12/26/21.

From Boynton Beach Police Department:

Update 1/13/22: On Dec. 26, 2021, the Boynton Beach Police Department made a commitment to the young boy’s family and our community that there would be a series of objective and comprehensive investigations into this case. These investigations remain in progress. We thank the community for their continued patience as these investigations are given the time and thoroughness they deserve.

The below fact points are intended to provide transparency and clarity to our community as to several mistruths that have been circulating in reference to this incident.

• Shortly after the Dec. 26, 2021 crash, Boynton Beach Police Chief Michael G. Gregory authorized the request for the Florida Highway Patrol to conduct the investigation. The Florida Highway Patrol agreed and immediately responded to the scene. This request was made in an effort to demonstrate objectivity and increase trust in the results of the investigation.

• There are three investigations into this incident. The Florida Highway Patrol is conducting the traffic crash investigation. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting a death investigation, and the Boynton Beach Police Department will conduct an Internal Affairs investigation.

• To date, Chief Gregory has neither seen nor heard of any evidence or witness testimony that states that the officer’s vehicle came in contact with the dirt bike. A press release written by the Florida Highway Patrol and dated Dec. 27, 2021 indicated that “Vehicle 1 (V01) was traveling northbound on US Highway 1 approaching NE 8th Ave in the left lane. The driver of Vehicle-1 failed to maintain control of the vehicle and collided with the median curb. After impact with the median curb, the driver was ejected from Vehicle-1 and collided with a one way sign that was located in the median. The driver of Vehicle-1 came to final rest on southbound US Highway 1 in the left turn lane to NE 8th Ave, facing west in a prone position. After the impact with the median curb, Vehicle-1 was redirected in a northeasterly direction, where it came to final rest in the right lane, facing north. The driver of Vehicle-1 succumbed to the injuries caused by the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene. This case is pending investigation.”

• The Boynton Beach Police Department operated an outdated dash-camera system in its patrol cars until June 2019 when the last cameras stopped functioning. Due to the significant investment the department made just a few years earlier with a Body Worn Camera program, no dash-cameras were replaced at that time. The following year, a new dash-camera system was identified and implemented in a DUI Enforcement car and vehicles assigned to the K9 Unit. The marked police car that was being driven during the attempted traffic stop in this incident on Dec. 26 is not assigned to the K9 Unit nor the Traffic Unit, and it is not equipped with a dash-camera.

• The Boynton Beach Police Department has turned over all video and other evidence to the Florida Highway Patrol as requested for their investigation.

This is a developing story. We will update you here with more information as it becomes available.